A toxicological chart, exhibiting at one view the symptoms, treatment, and modes of detecting the various poisons ... to which are added concise directions for the treatment of suspended animation / [William Stowe].
- Stowe, William
- Date:
- [1850?]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A toxicological chart, exhibiting at one view the symptoms, treatment, and modes of detecting the various poisons ... to which are added concise directions for the treatment of suspended animation / [William Stowe]. Source: Wellcome Collection.
1/2
![A TOXICOLOGICAL CHART, EXHIBITING AT ONE VIEW THE SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT, AND MODES OF DETECTING THE VARIOUS POISONS, mineral, AJcijftaliic, ana animal; TO WHICH ARE ADDED CONCISE DIRECTIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SUSPENDED ANIMATION. BY WILLIAM STOWE, MEMBER OF THE LOUDON COLLEGE OF SDKGEON8. Eighth Edition.—Price Two Shillings. MINERAL POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. TESTS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. TESTS. ARSENIC. ARSENIOUS ACID, OR YI MITE ARSENIC. SU1PHURETS. OUPIMENT, YELLOW ARSENIC. REALGAR, OR RED ARSENIC. KING’S YELLOW. scueele's green, AUSENITE OF COPPER. An austere taste, fetid breath, ptyalism, :onstriction of the pharynx and (esopha¬ gus, hiccup, nausea, and vomiting of brown or bloody matter ; anxiety and faintings, heat and violent pain at the pit of the itomach; stools black and offensive, pulse small, frequent, and irregular; palpita¬ tions; great thirst and burning heat: breathing difficult j urine scanty, red, and bloody; delirium, convulsions of an epi¬ leptic character preceding dissolution. APSENITE OP POTASH CONTAINED IN FOWLER'S SOLUTION, of nitrate of silver, till the oxyd nearly all dissolved. f Made by adding ammonia to u solution of sulphate of copper, till the precipitate at first thrown down is nearly all re-dissolved. J Made by heating a pure solution of sub-sulphate of iron with nitric acid, adding nn excess of caustic ammonia, and then washing the precipitate obtained, which is hydro oxyd of iron.— Viile Eancct, Pel. 18, 1834. ANTIMONY. TARTAR I ZF.D ANTIMONY, OK EMETIC TARTAR. MURIATE OF ANTIMONY OK BUTTER OF ANTIMONY. Similar to those occasioned by acids, rvith painful and obstinate vomitings, copious stools, constriction of the throat, cramps, symptoms of inlox-ication, and prostration of strength, often terminating m death. IIFIED oxvn, • ANTIMONY. BISMUTH. THE NITRATE. THE OXYD. Similar to those of other corrosive poi¬ sons, Yvith great heat in the chest, and •ery difficult breathing. THE TARTRATE, Of PEARL WHITE, 01 FAC1 POM Dl I.' COFFER. BLUE Y'ERDITER. MINERAL GREEN. FOOD COOKED IN FOIIL COPTER VESSELS, AND PICKI.ES MADE GREEN BY COPPER. SILVER. NITRATE, I.UNAn CAUSTIC. LITHARGE. FD OXY D, OR RED LEAD. MERCURY. OXY-MUR1ATE, OR SUBLIMATE. CALOMEL. Excite Y'omiting by emetics of sulphate of zinc, if not already present; encourage it with large draughts of milk, gruel, or linseed tea, so as to envelop and get rid of the arse¬ nic. Fat, oil, charcoal powder, alkaline sul- phurets, and various vegetable decoctions are not to he relied on. Inflammatory symptoms (gastritis) are to he combated by bleeding from the arm, and leeches; fomentations, emollient clysters, and other appropriate re¬ medies. Dysenteric and nervous consequen¬ ces, to be relieved by the usual means. If death does not ensue, the diet must be fluid, farinaceous and demulcent, for a considerable time aftenvards. There is no specific antidote yet known ; the hydro oxyd of iron I has recently been recommended to be gh-en largely, but its efficacy is not established. 1. If the suspected fluid reddens litmus paper, neutralise it with potash; if it is alkaline acidulate it slightly Yvith acetic acid : the* if it contains arsenic, on passing through it a stream of sulphureWfld hydrogen gas a lemon yellow precipitate, or yellow' cloudiness fill be formed, which after boiling, or exposure to air, will subside—fids is sulphuret of arsenic : the presence of animal or vegetable matier may, liowever, change the colour to a brown tint. 2. The ammoniacal nitrate of silver* precipitates arsenic yell (arsenite of silver), hut the presence of ammonia or of rauria renders it fallacious, 3. The ammoniacal sulphate of copnerf gives a grass green p : cipitate (arsenite of copper), hut acids or ammonia in excess, ■ vegetable matter may obscure the tint, but it may confirm otli tests. 4. The most certain test is the reduction of the metal, by c; cining in a small glass tube, Yvith a spirit lamp, the dried suspecti I matter mixed with fresh burnt charcoal, when if arsenic he nresc l (even the hundredth of a grain), it will be sublimed and adhere i the inside of the tube, in the form of a shining metallic crust ex ternally, and appear crystalline internally, when viewed Yvith a lets this crust inay be reconverted by exposure to heat, into the whit* tyd, consisting of minute octahedrons, with triangular fascette^ easily lily recognised by a microscope. The doubtful precipitates nrJ cured by the fluid reagents, 1, 2, 3, may be dried and exposed Li Vomiting to be excited by tickling the throat with a feather or the linger, and by large the above test of reduction, which is so decisive as to the detec. lion of minute portions of arsenical poison, that no judicial evi. dence should be given Yvithout the demonstration which it afford.- to the medical jurist. draughts of mild fluids,- or allayed by opium, according to the previous effect of the poison. The best antidotes are, decoctions of astrin¬ gent vegetables, such as oak cinchona, or willow hark, gall nuts, or strong tea, which may be given freely to excite vomiting, and at the same time to decompose the poison. Tartarized antimony is precipitated from its solution of an orange colour by sulphuretted hydrogen and the hydrosulphurets, tho pro; cipitate being reduced to the metallic state by exposure to a stream of hydrogen gas while heated in a glass tube.* It is also precipi¬ tated white by sulphuric acid alkalies, lime and barytes Yvaters.— Alkaline and earthy neutral 6alts do not affect it, hut salts with excess of acid do. Infusion of galls occasions a copious yellowish white precipitate. The muriate of antimony is a dark heavy fluid, to which, if water he added, a white precipitate is for The oxyd is soluble in muriatic acid, ft No specific antidote known. Milk and mild mucilaginous fluids to be drank plentifully, to facilitate Y'omiting, and purgatives should be given. oxyd is soluble in muriatic acid, forming the muriate. All the preparations of antimony are readily reduced to the me¬ tallic state on a large scale, by calcination Yvith charcoal and potash l i'/r /.am; I, No. MU, page :I23. The nitrate boiled with distilled Yvater is decomposed; part being precipitated as #(/A-nitrate, and part remaining dissolved, being ; super nitrate ; this solution i9 colourless, reddens litmus paper, am tlie hydro-sulphurets produce a black insoluble sulphuret of bis mutli. The sub nitrate is soluble with a little heat in nitric acid, from which the alkalies precipitate the Yvhite oxyd, which is easily i duced by calcination. Chromate of potash precipitates it yellow. tongue dry tliroat, id coppery eructations; severe vomit- ..igs, or fruitless efforts to vomit; drag¬ ging at the stomach, dreadful colic ; fre- Taste acrid and coppery; tongi id parched; constriction of the t and coppery eructations; quent black bloody stools, with ibdomen distended, pulse small, hard, and quick; syncope, great thirst, and anxiety , cold sweats, scanty urine, cephalalgia, ver¬ tigo, cramps and convulsions, usually pre¬ ceding dissolution. Large draughts of milk and Yvater to en¬ courage vomiting. Whites of eggs stirred up with ft-ater and taken freely. Inflammatory consequences to be subdued on general prin¬ ciples, and the nervous symptoms hv ano¬ dynes and antuspasmodics. Sugar is not a specific antidote, as Orfila at first promulgated, but it may he dissolved in coffee, and given with advantage. He lias recently recommended the ferro-cyanate of potash as an antidote next to albumen in efficacy. Similar to those occasioned by other corrosive poisons. A table spoonful of common salt to be dis¬ solved in a pint of water, and a n ine glass¬ ful to be taken every two or three minutes, to decompose the poison; after which mu¬ cilaginous drinks may he given,or purgativ may he administered. Wien taken in large quantity, a sugary astringent metallic taste; constriction of the throat, pain in the region of the sto¬ mach, obstinate, painful, and often bloody vomitings, hiccup, convulsions, and death. When taken in small long-conlinued doses, it produces colica pictonum, and paralytic symptoms. The same as tliatrecoinuiended lor tne salts of barytes.— Fide Alkaline Earths. In addi¬ tion to which, bleeding must he used if symp¬ toms require it. Castor oil, either Yvith or without opium, to clear the bowels, assisted by frequent emollient clysters. The w bath should not be omitted. Acrid metallic taste, immediate con¬ striction and burning in the throat; with anxiety and tearing pains in the stomach and boYvels; nausea and vomiting of va rious-coloured fluids, sometimes bloody , profuse diarrhoea and sometimes dysuria. Pulse quick, small, and hard ; faintings, great debility, difficult breathing, cramp, cold sweats, and other bad symptoms lead¬ ing to dissolution, within twenty-four or thirty-six hours after sublimate has been taken. Whites of eggs to he mixed Yvith water, and one to be given every tivo or three minutes to promote vomiting, and by decom¬ posing, to lessen the virulence of the poison. Milk in large quantities, gum Yvater, or linseed tea, sugar and Yvater, or Yvater itself at about 30°. Gluten, as it exists in wheat Horn-, de composes sublimate and should he given mixed with water. Inflammatory conse¬ quences should he anticipated, and subdued by the usual remedies if they occur. Taste austere, metallic, constriction of the throat, vomitings with pain OY'er the whole abdomen; copious stools, pulse small, hard, and frequent; convulsive movements of the extremities and face; sometimes paralysis, and mostly death. Mitlc to lie given; first in large quantities to distend the stomach and produce Y'omiting, and afterYY'ards to decompose the remains of the poison. Inflammatory, or nervous symp¬ toms, to be subdued by bleeding, warm bath, opiates, &c. The sails of copper are mostly of a bright green or blue coloi , ind are easily reduced by charcoal at an elevated temperature. The lulphate is partly decomposed by alkalies and alkaline earths. Potash precipitates a .?«4-sulphate of a green colour from it. If the salts of copper he dissolved in coffee, port Yvine, or mall liquors, tvhich in part decomposes them, they may be detected by adding a spirituous tincture of guaiacum, which will occasion a precipitate, varying in shade from a greenish indigo to that of a pale green. Ammonia added to solution of any cupreous salt, gives a blue or greenish precipitate, according to the quantity; hut if added in excess, it re-dissolves the precipitate, and forms a deep blue trans¬ parent solution. Ferro-cyanate of potash produces a fine broYvn pre¬ cipitate, and oxyd of arsenic,with alittle ammonia, a grass green one. Nitrate of silver is precipitated white by muriate of soda ; yello\y, by phosphate and chromate of soda; if placed on burning coals it enlivens them, leaving a coating of silver ; calcined with charcoal and potash the silver is reduced to its metallic state. All the preparations of lead are easily reduced to the metallic state by calcination with charcoal. The super acetate dissolved in water is precipitated while by sul¬ phuric acid : of a canary yellow colour, by chromate of potash and chromic acid; these precipitates being easily reduced by calcination. The alkaline sulphurets precipitate the super-acetate of lead of a blackish colour, and so does sulphuretted hydrogen gas. A piece of zinc suspended in a solution of lead, abstracts the lead from the solvent, and it then becomes deposited on the zinc, in the form of metallic tree or crystallization. ACIDS. SULPHURIC, OIL OF VirillOL. ITRIC, OR AQUA fortis. MURIATIC, SPIRIT OF SALT. OXALIC, Olt ACID OF SUGAR. PHOSPHORIC. FLUORIC. TARTARIC. PRUSSIC, OR HYDROCYANIC. LIME. BARYTA. CARBONATE. MURIATE. SALT PETRE, SAL PRUNELLA. SAL AMMONIAC. Mercurial preparations heated to redness in a glass tube with potash, are decomposed, the quicksilver being volatilized. The oxy-muriate is precipitated white by ammonia, yellow by potash, and of an orange colour by lime water; by nitrate of tin a copious dark brown precipitate is formed, and by albumen mixed with cold ater, a Yvliite flocculent one. A few drops of solution of sublimate placed on a hit of gold forms a silvery amalgam on it if touched with an iron pin, OYving to a galvanic energy being excited at the point of contact. The hydriodate of potash and protochloride of tin are very deli¬ cate tests of sublimate;— for an account of their action consult Dr. Cltristison’s elaborate and scientific Yvork on Poisons, p. 274, PHOSPHORUS. ALCOHOL. The muriate precipitates gold from its solution of a purple colour;! it is itself precipitated of a bright yelloYV colour by strong tea orj alcoholic infusion of galls. Albumen or gelatin occasions a copious! flocculent precipitate. The oxyd may be volatilized by heat, is soluble in nitric acid,! combines Yvith earths by fusion, and with fixed alkalies forms! enamel; it is easily reduced by calcination. An ncerb taste, a sensation of choking, nausea and Y'omiting, pain in the stomach, frequent stools, difficult breathing, quick¬ ened pulse, paleness, of face, coldness of the extremities ; but seldom death, owing to the emetic quality of the poison. Acid burning taste, acute pain in the throat, stomach, and boYvels, frequent Y'o miting of bloody fluid, which effervesces with chalk or alkaline carbonates, and red¬ dens litmus paper; mouth or lips exco¬ riated, shrivelled, Yvhite or yelloYV; hiccup, copious stools, more or less bloody; ten¬ derness of the abdomen ; difficult breath¬ ing, irregular pulse, excessive thirst, drink increasing the pain, and seldom staying down; frequent but Y'ain efforts at mictu¬ rition ; cold sweats, altered countenanc convulsions, and death. If prussic acid be taken largely, death is the immediate result; in smaller quan¬ tities it produces stupor, nausea, vertigo, with loss of sight, and sometimes saliva¬ tion, difficult breathing, dilated pupils, and syncope, which, if not soon relieved, terminates in death; when applied to sores or the surface of the body incautiously, the same effects are produced. All the salts formed with this acid are more or less poisonous. The essential oil of bitter almonds is very analogous to prussic acid, and nearly as destructive in its effects. The taste acrid, urinous, and caustic , eat heat in the tlmoat; nausea and vo¬ miting of bloody matter, which changes syrup of violets to green, and effervesces with acids if the carbonated form of the alkali has been taken; copious stools, acute pain of the stomach, colic, convul¬ sions, derangement, and death. Violent vomitings, convulsions, palsy of the limbs, distressing pains in the abdomen, hiccup, alteration of the countenance, and very early death, when baryta or any of its combinations, which are very energetic poisons, have been taken. Lime, from its sparing solubility, is less active, hut has occasionally produced death. Cardialgia, nausea, painful vomiting, purging, compulsions, syncope, pulse fee¬ ble, extremities cold, Yvitli tearing pains of the stomach and boYvels, difficult respira¬ tion, a kind of intoxication, and death. Excessive vomitings, with convulsions and general stiffness of the muscles, great pain in the bowels, early alteration of fea¬ tures, and death. The effects of an overdose of Iodine are a strong burning sensation, Yvith constric¬ tion in the throat, nausea, and bilious vo¬ miting, heartburn, and slight salivation, pain in the eyeballs, and obscured Y'ision, palpitation, tremor, and occasionally para¬ lysis. Occasions symptons similar to those of concentrated acids, with a hot taste of gar¬ lic in the mouth; a grain or tivo has been knoYvn to occasion death. Intoxication, and when taken very freely, complete insensibility, Yvith apoplexy or paralysis of one side ; the countenance is swoln, and of a dark red colour; the breathing is difficult, and often stertorous, with a peculiar puffing out of the lips; the breath smells of liquors, which YviU distin¬ guish the symptoms from those of spon¬ taneous apoplexy. Vomiting, which is the usual consequence of large doses of sulphate of zinc, to he ren¬ dered easy by draughts of Yvarm water, and particular symptoms to be met by appropriate remedies. Milk and albumen maybe given as in poisoning Yvith copper. Mix an ounce of calcined magnesia with a quart of Yvater, and give a glassful every two minutes. Soap, or chalk and Yvater, may be used till magnesia can be procured. Carbo¬ nated alkalies are objectionable, on account of the great extrication of gas in the stomach, and the salts formed Yvith them are too iritat- ing for the stomach. Vomiting is to be excit¬ ed by tickling the throat. Diluents to he taken after the poison is got rid of, and the return to solid food must be very gradual. Inflammatory and other consequences to be treated by the usual remedies. If the vitriolic acid has been swallowed, iter alone should not he given, nor should calcined magnesia with water be given; but the common carbonate of magnesia may be given freely when mixed with water. There is too much heat generated in the stomach if the above cautions be not attended to. Chalk and water is preferable to magnesia if oxalic acid has been taken. •h-' If prussic acid has been taken, use emetics or the stomach pump; try the cold affusion, and let the patient inhale the vapour of am¬ monia or clilorine freely; get ammonia or other stimulants into the stomach, and rouse the system in every possible Yvay. Vinegar and other vegetable acids to be given largely to neutralize the poison; then dilute freely with demulcents, and treat in- atory symptoms, if they appear, with the usual remedies. Almond or olive oil might be given largely, either of which would render vomiting easy, and would convert the alkali into soap. If lime has been taken, vinegar and other vegetable acids are the best antidotes, with demulcents. If baryta, in any of its forms, has been swal- lowed.a weak solution of Epsom or Glauber’s salt should be drank plentifully, to produce vomiting, and at the same time to decompose the poison, which it renders inert by forming insoluble sulphate. Till the above salts he had, large draughts of well water alone, nade slightly sour by sulphuric acid, may or made , be drank pretty freely. Similar to that of arsenic. Vomiting to he rendered easy by large of warm sugared water, ana ir draughts of Yvarm sugared Yvater, and if not occasioned by the poison, should he excited by the linger. The consequent nervous symp¬ toms to he calmed by anodynes and antispas- modics, and inflammatory ones counteracted by the usual- Mucilaginous drinks to he taken plentifully, and large emollient clysters to be adminis¬ tered. No specific antidote is known, but vomiting should he excited by large draughts of water mixed Yvitli magnesia, and oil or fatty sub¬ stances should he aY’oided. A poYverful emetic of white vitriol, or tartar emetic should he got into the stomach as soon as possible, and if the person has lost the power of sYvallou'ing, a flexible catheter or tube should be the means of conveying it there. The vomiting should be encouraged as much as possible with warm water, and large active clysters of salt and water should be thrown up. The patient should be placed erect, and if the countenance and other appeiirances-Yu-e not improved after these means have been used, the jugular vein may be opened, and cold wet cloths applied to the head, particu¬ larly if the body is hotter than natural. If the extremities become cold, Yvarmth and friction should be perseveringly used. The pure sulphate is precipitated wliite by caustic potash and ammonia; yellowish white by the alkaline hydro-sulphurets, and of an orange colour by the chromate of lead. The oxyd is readily reduced by calcination with charcoal and nitre, and when heated nearly to redness it becomes yellow, and on cool¬ ing becomes white again—this is very characteristic. Sulphuric acid is knoivn by its great Yveight, evolving heat when mixed Yvith water; by emitting no fumes. If barytes be added to it a sulphate is formed, which is insoluble in Yvater or nitric acid. Nitric acid emits orange-coloured fumes upon adding copper to it, and is changed blue by it; if potash be added, a nitrate is formed, which deflagrates when tiirown on burning coals, it tinges the skin yellow. Muriatic acid emits pungent fumes ; if nitrate of silver be added to it, a very Yvliite precipitate is formed of muriate of silver, soluble in ammonia, but not in nitric acid. Oxalic acid precipitates lime and all its salts from water, theprecipi- tate being soluble in nitric, hut not in excess of oxalic acid. Exposed to heat it volatilizes, leaving but little residue; it is decomposed by sulphuric acid, becoming broYvn ; it is dissolved by heat and nitric acid, and rendered yelloYV ;_muriatic acid dissolves it Yvith heat and decomposes it. Phosphoric acid precipitates barytes and lime Yvaters, the precipitate being soluble in nitric acid ; it is decomposed by charcoal at a high temperature, evolvingcarbonic acid, and phosphorusbeing sublimed. Fluoric acid exhales wliite Y'apours, not unlike those of muriatic acid; heat is evolved with a hissing noise when water is added to it; it dissolves glass. Tartaric acid produces a precipitate from lime water, soluble in an ixcess of acid, and in nitric also; Yvith potash it forms a neutral and .stiver-salt; it does not precipitate solution of silver; but its salts do. Prussic acid smells like bitter almonds or peach-leaves, it preci¬ pitates nitrate of silver white, ivhich is insoluble in cold nitric acid, and Yvhen dried and heated gives out cyanogen gas, Yvliich burns with a fine rose coloured-flame. Alkalies have many properties in common; their solutions feel soapy to the touch, change vegetable reds and blues to green ; and yellows to broYvn; remain transparent when carbonic acid is added to them, which distinguishes them from solutions of the alkaline earths, barytes, strontian and lime. Nitrate of silver is precipitated by them in form of a dark-coloured oxyd, soluble in nitric acid. Potash and sodamay bcdistinguishedfromeachotherbyevaporat- ing their solutions to dryness; potashYvillbecomemoistbyabsorhing water from the air, while soda will remain dry. Ammonia is known by its pungent smell, and precipitates the salts of copper blue. Solution of lime changes vegetable blues to green, and is precipi¬ tated white by carbonic and oxalic acid, ivliile no change is pro¬ duced on it by sulphuric acid; its salts are decomposed by the fixed alkalies Yvhicn precipitate the lime, but not by ammonia. Pure baryta undergoes changes similar to lime when wateris added to it, and acts like it on vegetable colours; it does not effervesce with acids. Sulphuric acid, and all the sulphates, added to a solu¬ tion of it, produce a YY'hite precipitate insoluble in water and nitric acid. Carbonate of baryta is insoluble in water, but dissolves in nitric or muriatic acid, with effervescence. Muriate of baryta in solution is not changed by sulph-hydrogen, or pure ammonia, but its carbonate, as Yvell as all other alkaline carbo¬ nates, throYvs down a Yvhite precipitate, which is carbonate of baryta. I f nitre be thrown on burning coals, it crackles, and gives a beautiful white flame; if poivdered, and sulphuric acid he poured upon it, it gives out nitrous fumes; both these circumstances distinguish it from Glauber’s salt. It is decomposed at a high temperature, affording oxygen gas. Muriate of ammonia is soon volatilized if placed on hot coals; if rubbed with quick lime, it gives out the odour of hartshorn. A solution of it in ivater is precipitated white upon the addition of nitrate of silver. Iodine exists in scales of a greyish black colour, and becomes a violet-coloured gas at about 120®: it is sparingly dissolved by water, Yvliich tinges raYv starch of a purple hue: it stains the skin brown, which soon Y’anishes : it destroys vegetable colours like dilute chlorine, and has nearly the same odour. Hydriodate of potash precipitates oxy-muriate of mercury of a carmine red colour, and acetate of lead of a fine yelloYV tint. If phosphorus or the rejected contents of the stomach after it has been taken, be boiled in a retort (having its beak under water,) with a solution of caustic potash, phosphorated hydrogen gas is formed, which explodes with a green flame as soon as it reaches the surface of the water. [Phosphorus and Alcohol are placed under this division of the Chart for convenience of arrangement.] VEGETABLE POISONS. ALL THE VEGETABLES MARKED T H HI * ARE NATIVES OF GREAT BRITAIN. IRRITATING POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. \ NARCOTIC POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. Aconita - Aconitum napellus - •Anemone pulsatilla -.. •Arum macula turn-------- •Bryonia dioica-Bry opine - Callicocca ipecacuanha - Emetine — •Chelidonium mu jus-- • Clematis vitalba.- •Colchicum aulumnale - Veratra - - Convolvulus scammonen -- Cucumis colocynthis - - Colocynthin •Oytisus laburnum. •Daphne messereum--- ’Daphne /aureola-- Delphinium staphusagria Delphina - Euphorbia officviarum - - - -- Friiillaria imperialit--- Gratiola officinalis - — --— •Hydrocotile vulgaris- •Hellehorus niger.. •Iielleborus fertidus.. Juniperus sahina- Lobelia syphilitica---- Momordica elaterium -- •Narcissus pseudo-narcissus- •CEnanthe crocata - -- •Phellandrium aquaticum- •Pedicularis palust ris--- ' Ran unculus ucris --- • -sceleratus-.... • -fi a m m u hi- Rhododendron chrysanthemum - - - - Rhus toxicodendron - -. Ricinus major- Secale cornutum - - --- - •Sedum acre - - - — --.... •Sempervivmn tectorum.- - - Scilla mnritima ----- - — - - - - Stalagmitis camhogoides -------- Veratrum album — — Veratra - •Viola tricolor--- Monk’shoo d Pasque Flower Wake Robin Bryony Ipecacuanha Celandine Virgins’ Bower Meadow Saffron Scammony Bitter Apple Laburnum (seeds) Mezereon Spurge Laurel Stavesacre Euphorbium CroYvn Imperial Hedge Hyssop Marsh PennyYvort Black Hellebore Bear’s Foot Sa\'ine Cardinal Flower Elaterium Daffodil Hemlock Drop wort Water Hemlock Louse Wort Butter Cups Water Crowfoot Lesser Spear Wort Yellow Rhododendron Poison Oak Purging Nut Spurred Rye Wall Pepper House Leek Squill Gamboge White Hellebore Heart’s Ease The general effects of this class of vegetable poisons, an acrid pungent taste, with more or less ol bitter- 1, excessive heat, great dryness of the mouth and throat, Yvitli sense of tightness in it; violent vomitings, and the efforts are continued even after the stomach is emptied; purging, with great pain in the stomach and bowels; pulse strong, frequent and regular; breathing often, quick, and difficult; appearances of intoxication ; the pupil of the eye frequently dilated, insensibility re¬ sembling death, the pulse becomes slow, and loses its force, and death closes the scene. If applied externally they, many of them, produce vio¬ lent inflammation of the skin, Yvith vesications or erup-1 lions of pustules. Plants Yvhose floYvers lin\'e five stamens, one pistil, one petal, and Yvhose fruit is of the berry kind, may at once be pronounced as poisonous. The umbelliferous plants which groYv in water are mostly poisonous; ana such as have the corolla purple and yelloYV, may be suspected of being so. If Y'omiting has been occasioned by the poison, and thej efforts are still continued, they maybe rendered easier by large draughts of Yvarm water, or tliin gruel; but if symp¬ toms of insensibility have come on without vomiting, it ought to be immediately excited by the sulphate of zinc, or some other active emetic substance, and after its opera¬ tion a sharp purgative should he given. After as much as possible of the poison is got rid of, a very strong infusion of coffee, or vinegar diluted with water, may be given with adY’antage. Camphor mixed with aether, may be taken frequently, and if insensibility be considerable, warmth, frictions, and blisters, may be employed. If inflamma¬ tion, or other dangerous consequences have been duced, they are to he treated on general principles. OBSERVATIONS. The principal object in the treatment of persons under the influence of narcotic poison, is to rouse the sensi¬ bility so as to render the stomach alive to the irritation of emetics, and the action of other stimulants. Late ex-1 perience has proved that this is best effected by repeatedly dashing cold Yvater over the head and neck, whilst the rest of the body is kept dry and warm. Applying the liquor ammoniac to the nostrils by means of a feather, intro¬ ducing a drop or tYvo of hartshorn into eacli eye, sprinkling the pubes dolichi prurientis o\;er the neck, breast, and hands: and the application of a mustard plaster over the stomach, have been attended vyith good effects. When opium has been taken, it is of great consequence to keep the patient moi'ing about Yvhile the somnolency lasts, and where it is so great as to impede respiration very much, artificial inflation may he attempted. The cautious injection of one grain of tartar emetics into the Y-eins, might, in an extreme case, produce vomiting when other means failed. Orfila found that a decoction of galls precipitated the active principles of opium from its infusion, so that it might be useful as an antidote. In all cases of severe poisoning where vomiting has not come on, or is not easily produced, recourse should be had to the stomach pump, taking care not to use too forcible suction. A very simple and efficacious substitute for this instrument lias been recommended by Mr. Bryce of Edinburgh. To the (Esophagus tube he attaches a long tin tube, having a bladder filled with warm Yvater at the other end.—By raising the bladder above the patient’s head, the fluid passes into the stomach; and by depressing it below the stomach it acts as a syphon, and abstracts the contents of it. In passing tlie tube down, let it be kept in contact with the hack part of the oeso¬ phagus, and bent as much as possible to avoid irritating the larynx. Fide Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Jour- nalFol. ;v,viii. 41 (i. Actea spicata '/Ethusa cynapium - -.- 'Aristolocnia clemutitis - - -- 'Atropa belladonna - - Atropia - 'Cicuta virosa--------- 'Conium macula turn - - Conia - - 'Datura stramonium - - Daturia - Bane Berries Fool’s Parslev Birth Wort ' Deadly Night Shade Digitalis purpurea - Ervum ervilta - - Hyosciama 'Hyosciamus niger 'Lactuca virosa - Laurus camphora- Laurus cerusus - - - -- 'Lolium tcmulcntum ------- Menispermum coculus-- Nicotians tahucum - - Nicotin - - •Papaver somniferum - Morphia - 'Paris qwulrifolia.- ‘Solan um dulcamara - -- -- -- -- Strychnos mix vomica x Water Hemlock Common Hemlock Thorn Apple Fox GloY'e Lentil Henbane Strong Scented Lettuce Camphor Common Laurel Darnel Coculus Indicus Tobacco Opium Herb Paris Woody Night Shade CroYv fig POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. Agaricus muscarius - - -piperatus - - l-necutor - - ■ |-hnlhosus - - - |-chan tar ell us -Semiglohutus - - Fly Agaric - - Pepper Agaric - - Deadly Agaric - - Bulbous Agaric - - Champignon - - Glutinous Agaric The narcotic Y'egetable poisons, if taken into the sto¬ mach, or applied to a wound, occasion the following effects:—Stupor, numbness, heaY’iness in the head, desire to vomit, slight at first, hut afterwards insupportable ; a sort of intoxication, stupid air, pupil of the eye dilated, furious or lively delirium, sometimes pain, convulsions of different parts of the body, or palsy of the limbs. The pulse is variable, but at first generally strong and full; breathing is quick, and there is great anxiety and . 'ction, which, if not speedily relie\'ed, soon ends in death. lien nux vomica, or its active principle strychnia, has been taken in an overdose, it produces symptoms very similar to tetanus, but which have a much more rapid progress than either idiopathic or traumatic tetanus, and require the Y'ery prompt use of the stomach pump to save life. Iodine, cldonne, and bromine have lately been regarded as antidotes by Mons. Donn6, of Paris. Exhilaration of spirits, laughter, vertigo, heat, and pain in the stomach and boYvels, with vomiting and purging; thirst, commlsions, faintings ; pulse small and frequent; delirium, dilated pupil and stupor, cold siveats, and death- OBSERVATIONS. Poisonous mushrooms may be distinguished from tlie edible ones by their botanical characters, and by the fol- 1 owing criteria:—The former groYv in Yvet shady places, have a nauseous odour, arc softer, more open and porous; have a dirty-looking surface, sometimes a gaudy colour, or manv very distinct hues, particularly if they have been covered with an envelope; they have soft bulbous stalks, groYv rapidly, and corrupt very quickly. The stomach to be effectually evacuated, by gh'ing four or five grains of tartar emetic, or from ten.to twenty of the sulphate of zinc, and repeating it every quarter of an hour, till the full effect is produced. These means may be assisted by tickling the throat Yvith a feather, or the finger. Large and strong clysters of soap dissolved water, or of salt and gruel should be speedily admi- ’ ' ... - rid of nistered, to clear the bowels and assist in getting rid of the poison, and acth'e purgatives may be given after the vomiting has ceased. When as much as possible of the poison has been expelled, the patient may drink, alter¬ nately, a tea-cupfull of strong hot infusion of coffee, and vinegar diluted with water. If the drowsiness, \\'hich is sometimes extreme,and the insensibility,border¬ ing on apoplexy, be not remedied by these means and by the tepia hath, blood may he taken from the jugular vein, blisters may be applied to the neck and legs, and the attention roused by every means possible. If the heat declines, warmth and friction must be perseY'eringly used. Vegetable acids are on no account to be given before the poison is expelled, and it is desirable that hut little fluid uf any kind should be given, as it promotes the diffusion and absorption of the poison. The stomach and bowels to be first cleared by an eme¬ tic of tartarized antimony, followed by frequent doses of Glauber’s or Epsom salt, and large stimulating clysters. After the poison is evacuated, aether may be administered Yvith small quantities of brandy and water, but if inflam¬ matory symptoms manifest themselves, such stimuli should be omitted, and other appropriate means had re¬ course to. iANIIVIiAL POISONS. POISONOUS FISH. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. Balistes monoceros - - -.Old Wife Cancer astacus ---- - Sea Lobster - ruricolus.- - - - - Land Crab Clupea thryssn - - -.- Yellow billed Sprat Coracynus fuscus major - - - --Gray Snapper Corncinus minor - ----Hyne Coryphcena splendens - ----Dolpliin Mormyra - - - ---Blue Parrot Fish Muraena major - ----- Conger Eel Mytilus edulus...Mussel Ostracion globell urn - -- -- -- -- -- Bottle Fish Perea major - - - - - ----Barracuda Perea venenosu---- - Grooper Perea venenata ---- - Rock Fish Scomber maximus---- King Fish Scomber thynnus - --- - Bonetta Spar us chrysops-----Porgee 1 etrodon sceleratus - - - --Tunny Tetrodon oce/ta/us ----------- Bloiver VENOMOUS INSECTS. Tarantula Scorpio - -- -- -- -- -- -.Scorpion Vespa crabro- - -- --. Hornet Vespa vulgaris - Wasp Apis melhfica - -- -- -- -.Bee Culex pipiens - - -.Gnat Oestrus bovis - -- -- --.Gad Fly CAVTHARIDES. SPANISH, OR BLISTERING F In an horn- or two, or often in a much shorter time, after stale fish lias been eaten, a Yveight at the stomach is felt, with slight vertigo and head-ache, and a sense of heat about the head and eyes, considerable thirst, often an eruption of the skin (urticaria); and in many cases death k'>s happened. In general the sting of these insects causes only a slight degree of swelling; but occasionally the symptoms are more violent, and sickness and fever are produced by the intensity of the pain. Nauseous odour of the breath, acrid taste, burning heat in the throat, stomach and belly, frequent vomitings, ofteii bloody, -with, copious bloody stools; excruciating nain in the stomach ; painful and obstinate priapism, with neat in the bladder, and strangury or retention of urine ; frightful comiilsions, delirium, and death. An emetic should be speedily administered, or in the absence of it, the Y'omiting may he excited by tickling the throat with the finger, and.. water. After full vomit! be given to remove any taking large draughts of warm have found its Yvay into the intestines. Vinegar and water may be drank after the above remedies have operated, and tl e body may be sponged with the same. Water made bclrn (.vflh sugar^ to which iether may be rank freely as a corrective, and a very weak solution of alkali has been recommended, to obY'iate the effects of the poison. If spasms ensue, after evacuations, laudanum, in considerable doses, is necessary. If inflammation should occur, the means of removing it must be em¬ ployed. Hartshorn and oil may be rubbed on the affected part, and a piece of rag moistened in the same, or in salt and water, may be kept upon it till the pain is removed. A few drops of hartshorn may he given frequently in a little water, and a glass or two of Yvine may be taken. The sling may, in general, be remoY-ed by making strong pressure over it with the barrel of a small watch key. Vomiting to be excited by drinking sweet oil, sugar and water, milk, or linseed tea very freely. Emollient clysters should be administered; and if symptoms of inflammation of the stomach, kidney, or bladder, supervene, they must he subdued by appropriate treatment. Camphor dissolved in oil may be rubbed OY'er the ab¬ domen and on the thighs, and the Yvarm bath should be had recourse to. prester NOUS SERPENTS. - -.Viper ■ - -.Black Viper . .Rattlesnake ■Cobra de cape/la ) Coluber carinatus ) Aatuka Rekula Poda >.Indian Serpents lodroo Pam ) SALIVA OF THE KABID DOS. A sharp pain in the wounded part, which soon extends over the limb or body; great sYvelling, at first hard and pale, then reddish, livid, and gangrenous in appearance ; lain tings, vomitings, convulsions, and sometimes jaundice; pulse small, frequent and irregular; breathing difficult, cold sYveats, the sight fails, and the intellectual faculties are deranged. Inflammation, and often extensive sup¬ puration and gangrene, folloYved by death. OBSERVATIONS. Poisonous snakes have tubular fangs, but only one row of teeth on each side of the upper jatv, while the innocent tribe lia\'e two. In the former, the scales decrease in size as they approach the head, while the reverse obtains in the latter. Ihe viper of this country has a dark lozenge shaped streak running doivn the hack. A moderately tight ligature is to he applied above the bite; next let the bitten part be removed with the knife, and the wound left to bleed after being well Yvashed Yvitli warm Yvater; the actual cautery, lunar caustic, oi butter of antimony, to he then applied freely to it, and after¬ wards covered with lint, dipped in equal parts of olive oil and spirits of hartshorn. The ligature to be removed if the inflammation be considerable. Warm diluting drinks, and small doses of ammonia or hartshorn, to cause perspiration; the patient to he well covered in bed, and a little warm wine given occasionally. If gangrene be threatened, Yvine may be given more freely, and the bark should he had recourse to. Arsenic, the principal ingredient in the Tanjore Pill, has been strongly recom¬ mended. Excision is seldom necessary for the bite of the viper in this country. The application of a cupping glass immediately after the bite might be very service¬ able. At an uncertain interval after the bite, generally Iioyv- ever between the twentieth dav and three or four months, pain or uneasiness occurs in the bitten part, though the wound may have been long healed. Anxiety, uneasiness, languor, spasms, horror, disturbed sleep, difficult respira¬ tion, succeed, and arc soon very much increased. Violent com-ulsions affect the whole body, hideously distorting the muscles of the face ; the eyes are red and protruded, the tongue swells, and often hangs out, and Yiscid saliva flows from the mouth; there is pain in the stomach, with bilious vomitings, a horror of fluids, and impossibility of drinking them. All these symptoms arc aggraY-atcd till the sufferer is relieved by death. ASPHYXIA, OR SUSPENDED ANIMATION. Hydrophobia is more easily prevented than cured ; indeed it is doubtful if ever it has been cured. Mercury, arsenic, opium, musk, camphor, acids, Yvine, vegetable and mineral alkali, oil, Y'arious herbs, and many other emedies, whose effects are quite opposite, have been employed, but none can be relied on. Large blood¬ lettings, the Yvarm and cold bath, and almost all other remedial agents have been tried without success. The bitten part should be completely cut out, even after it has healed, if the symptoms have not yet come on; the part should then be immersed in Yvarm water, or washed Yvith it as long as it will bleed, and after the most perscY'ering ablution, caustic should be applied to every part of the surface, and then the wound covered Yvith a poultice, and suffered to heal by granulations. No milder discipline can insure safety. TREATMENT OF DROWNED PERSONS. Remove the body on a plank or hurdle, with the head elevated, to the nearest dwelling house ; or if it be very far to such place, first strip it of the Yvet clothes, rub it dry, and put on it the spare clothes of bye standers—this to prevent evaporation, and consequent reduction of its heat. Place it between warm blankets, and keep up the temperature by appli-1 cation of dry heat in every possible way. Water extinguishes life as it does lire, simply by beeping off the air; therefore, restoring air to the lungs by inflation, is the means most to1 be relied upon ; and should be commenced without a moment's delay, and continued perseveringly miring several hours. This is best accomplished by pressing the tongue down¬ wards and foru'ards, and passing a small curved tube into the larynx, and attaching a pair of belloYY’s to it; or, in the absence of them, an assistant must blow into it, to distend the lungs, which may then be emptied by pressure on the chest or belly : these expedients should he done alternately, so as to imitate natural respiration. Lf oxygen gas could he used instead of common air, it would he much preferable. Friction, with Yvarm flannels should tie going on the YY'hile, and stimulating vapours may he applied to the nose. Warm clysters, with salt and mustard, or of brandy and ivater. may be throivn up, and warm spiced wine got into the stomach by means of a flexible catheter and syringe—not to be attempted without such assistance till the patient can swallow. Bleeding is a doubtful remedy, but has been occasionally had recourse to when the countenance yvos dark, and the limbs warm and flexible. Tobacco, in any form, is Y'ery injurious. Bronchotomy, or laryngotomy, may be had recourse to if other means fail in distending the lungs. Electricity may he used, passing gentle shocks through the heart. 1 he body may he insulated, by placing it on a shutter, supported by quart bottles perfectly dry on the outside. If recovery happens, small quantities of light nutritious food may be given, and perspiration kept up by warmth and tepid'druiks. Fide Lancet, Sept. 17 and 21, 1831. TREATMENT OF PERSONS HANGED. Remove the ligature as soon as possible, and act as for a droivned person, with the exception of opening the jugular vein, and removing, if possible, six or eight ounces of blood. Death is caused rather by suffocation than by apoplexy, therefore the lungs should be supplied Yvith air without delay. TREATMENT OF PERSONS SUFFOCATED BY CARBONIC ACID GAS, HYDROGEN OR NITROGEN GAS —EXHAL VTIONS FROM DEPOSITORIES OF SOIL, &c. JiUr *? J1 “*rior1 d“h,col<i 'v»ler over t]le. l>ead neck and breast. The tang, should be inflated, the nostrils stimulated, and if the veins of the neck .qpear lull, some blood may be removed from them. If the temperature of the body be belovv the natural standard, heat must be applied instead of cold. Friction may be usefuL TREATMENT OF STILL-BORN CHILDREN. sSteSbJSoTJmKu-cterJ theh“keptnp by^appli“ion of™’ TREATMENT OF PERSONS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. Xt S g°ftBw^iX«„b uie‘?±S1aS8bock' I’”,eJ tUroU5h ““chest- ”d •h*lhe spine' k“» «» 0“ br «*«- by means of tfie flexible tube and syringe. TREATMENT OF PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO INTENSE COLD ,, added at mten-alV^T nQt 1° 1-'a‘Kth,e cSLd bath .mn>' be used • «id whilst the person remains in it, small quantities of hot water must SfhhJIl I?-™-!*be..lleat 'ery feaaduall>- rhe lunB8 to be inflated, w arm wine, or any other warm fluid to he given, very cautiously at first, and solid food to he First use gentle friction vvith snow o j added at intervals, so as to raise the ... withheld for some hours after recovery. TREATMENT OF PERSONS INSENSIBLE FROM EXCESSIVE DRINKING. eTnetlc °/ w,ute yitno\or tart“r, emoti®» he got into the stomach as soon as possible, and if the person has lost the povver of swallovvinir a flexible catheter or tube the means of conveying it there. 1 lie Y'omiting should be encouraged as inucl> nnseilila with warm —a ..>L. -i.-_.-l_ <• ®’i i ii> .i i u l i .,. I, ,-. y-“ <•*«= power ui swallowing, a nexiuie cauieier or iuue The oatientshfiiTkr he n1arp5 FJ, °ldd , ef°uraBed as rnucl‘ M possible with warm water, and large and active clysters of salt and water should be thrown Jet dntl.K!lSli5 7k. v.! i ?■ , ', -r . i ®ou.nt,enance and otl,cr appearances are not improved after these means have been used, the jugular vein may he opened, and cold ift cloths applied to the head, particularly if the body is hotter than natural. It ti.c extremities become cold, warmth and friction should be perseveringly used LONDON: PUBLISHED BY S. HIGHLEY, 32, FLEET STREET, OPPOSITE ST. DUNSTAN’S CHCP.CH. A [PRINTED ux iXiWART AND CO. OLD](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30346538_0002.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
